Antithief cage



Mar'. 13, 1923.

R. A. AINSA.

ANTITHIEF CAGE.

FILED Aue.24,1922.

4 SHEETS-SHEET l.

@moed/woz A waa @9H/weon Mar. 13, 1923. 1,448,611. R. A. AINSA.

ANTITHI'EF CAGE.

' FILED Aue.24. 1922. 4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Em'l

wth/woo Mar. 13, 1923. 1,448,61 R. A. MNSA.

ANTITHIEf CAGE. FILED AUG.24, 1922.

Patented Mar. i3, i923.

rarita RICHARD A.. AINSA., OF EL PASO, TEXAS.

ANTITHIEF CAGE.

application filed August 24, 1922. serial No. 584,151.

declare the following to be a full, clear, and

exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention has for its object to provide a novel device for preventing theft of any freight while being transferred from a freight car to a warehouse or other car, or vice versa and in carrying out this end, l employ a cage open at two sides for commu* nication with the doorways of the car and warehouse or the two cars, while said cage is closed on other sides to preventanyone from entering it from the exterior and toprevent any of the workmen from passing any goods to the exterior. Thus, it is not necessary for the warehouse foreman or other ,authorized persons, to constantly watch the loading or unloading operations, as is now usually necessary.

With the foregoing in view, other objects are to construct and mount the cage in such a manner that it may readily be retracted when not in use, may be locked in projected position when in use, and may yield laterally to prevent injury in case the freight car should be moved before the cage is disengaged therefrom.

Vith the foregoingin view, the invention resides in the novel subject matter hereinafter described and claimed, the description being supplemented by the accompanying drawings.

Figure l is a side elevationy of the preferred vform of the invention, showing it eX- tended for use between a warehouse door and a car door.

Figure 2 is a duplicate of Fig. l with the exception that it illustrates the cage collapsed against the side of the warehouse.

Figure `3 is a horizontal section on line 3-3 of Fig. 1showing a top plan view of the cage.

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view through the cage as indicated by .line ,4e-A of Fig. l.

Figure 5 is a vertical transverse section on line 5-5 of Fig. l.

Figure 6 is an enlarged plan view showing more particularly the means for locking the cage in projectedposition. f i f Figure 7 vis a detail horizontal section on line 7-7 of Fig. l. l .f Figure 8 is a view similar'toA Figpl but showing a different form of construction) 'l Figure 9 isa horizontal section on line 9 9 of Fig. s. .y 'e Figures l0 and ll are views similarzto' Fig. l, showing two rigidfformsjof cages in retracted and projected positions respectively. `f

FigureslQ and 13 are detail side eleva'- tions of cages constructed of wooden slatsl instead of employing meta-l structures tended in the preceding figures. j

In the drawings above briefly described, reference being had more particularly `vto Figs. l to 7, the numeral l designates a rectangular frame adapted to be secured tof the side of a warehouse,7 around a door frame which is located adjacent a railway trac'kfT, such as'one of the usual spurs or switches running from main lines to factories, warehouses and the like. y'The numeral 2 designates an outer rectangular frame, Ithe two frames being connected with each other by vertical sides 3, a top et and a' b'ottomf,I these several'walls being formed of suitable linkage, such as a plurality of intermeshed chains.k To prevent undesirable sagging of' the top i and bottom 5, a plurality' of metal as inrbars 6 extend across the same and are vsuitably connected therewith. The two frames l and 2 are preferably, although not necessarily formed of U-iron. f

vrFhe cage is supportedby suitable-'carh4 riages T'on, a horizontal track 8,"aiiy'desired connections such as the chains 9, being'einployed between said cage and carriages. Thesechains are preferably connected with the uppermost of the bars 6 as shown! The' inner end of the track 8 'is pivoted at lO-'to' the warehouse lV at a point above its' door and the pivot is of such a nature 'that the track can swing verticallyl and may ,also yield horizontally for the purpose to appear.'4 The inner end of the track 8 inclines to the warehouse as indicated by thel numeral l0 while its outer end preferably curves up'i ward and is supported by afsuitable block' and tackle mechanism, including a chain' ll. This chain leads to theidoorway 'and be engaged with a suitable forked plate l2 to hold it when the cage is-collapsed against the warehouse as shown for instance,

in Fig.c,2. If v desired, the free end of the chain maybe locked to'a staple 13 inthe door frame to secure it in' place, so that it carried'byI the frame 2 and positioned to, engage the side wallvv of the car and the car door, as, indicated in FigqB. Each of the can not be released by any unauthorized 1 person.

` The numeral 11a merely designates a chain` to limit descent of the track 8.

The outer end of thecage isl adapted to bear against thewside of a freight vcar C on the track T andI preferablyy provide said cage with yieldable pressure members 14 members 14; is preferablyprovided with two horizontally, spaced feet l15 and is formed of rubber or the like. Thus, any attempt to push'the ycage from engagement with the car, by sliding it longitudinally upon the latter, willbe prevented.

The members 14 are held in tight contact with the car by means of rods 16 within the cage suitably connected with r the outer :frame 2 and securedby any adequate means to the warehouse door frame. vI prefer, as

illustrated in Fig. 7, toconstruct the rods 16 from piping for receiving rigid pins 17 whichfextend inwardly fromthe sides of the iframe 2. By this arrangement, a simple detachable connection is provided between the frame and rods. In securing the rods 16 to theiframe of the warehouse, I prefer to employ the construction illustrated most 1 clearly in Figs. l and 6. U-shaped guides 18k are swivelled or otherwise connected at 19 to the sides of the warehouse door frame imposition to receive the rods 16, each of said guides having a pin or other shoulder y2t) fonico-action with any of the teeth 21 on said-rods, in holding the latter projected, so that `the pressure members 14 will be held tightly against. the side of the car. To secure thel rods in engagement with the i .shoulders 20, I prefer to pass a padlock 22 through each guide 18. ',If desired, arms 23 may-extend inwardly from the guides 18 to carry circular guides 24 through which the rods 16 may pass.

Normally, 'that is when the device is not in use, it stands collapsed against the ware'- house W with the track 8 either standing v in a vertical position or swung outwardly to some extent, being held in position by engagement of the chain 11 with the plate 12.. This normally collapsed positio-n of the cage is shown in Fig. 2, but it will be seen that when the chain 11 is manipulated tok lower the track 8 to a horizontal position,

.the carriages 7 which were previously restingupon the inner end portion 10 of said track, will roll down the latter onto the horizontal body portion of said track. By

now engaging the rods 16 with the frame 2 and forcing outwardly uponthese rods, the

cage is extended so that its pressure members 11i are in frictional engagement with,- the'wall ofthe freight car and lits door.

Engagement of the teeth 21 with the shoulders 20 and application of the padlocks 22 7 or other suitable means, vwill hold therods l 16 projected to retain the cage in operative position. Either before or after projection f ofthe ,cagekto this position, a suitable sill plate 25 is placed froml the warehouseto the car and the workmen loading oryunloading may either carryv the goods'oyer'this'lsill plate or roll trucks thcreover. During this kunloading operation, it will be, seen that, it

is impossible for any of the workmen to pass any of the produce outside to confedn crates or to be picked up later on and fur'- thermore, it ispimpossible forthieves to en-` ter either the car or the warehouse while the doors thereof stand open. A great protecf tion isthus affordedwhich will prevent con erally swing to the required extent.kr It will i',

also 'be seen that the outer frame 2 may be raised orlowered to any desired extent, ac-

cording-to the height of the `car door, durl ing which movement the chain mesh sides `will iiex. While one track is suiiicient for supporting certain sizes of cages, will of course be understood that more tracks may l vbe employed if the cage is of heavier for.

mation.v r f n l In .the construction shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the numeralsl'a and 2a designate theinner and outer U-iron frames 'of the cage, the outer framebeing provided with carriage 7a movable along a suitable track ,8fL

which may be rigidwith Arespect to vertical movement, but is pivotally mounted at4 9 in such a mannerthat it may. yield horif zontally if necessary. The vertical sides Bag of the cage shown in Figs.v 8 and 9,',as .welly as the top 41a and the Vbottom 5a, are formed` oflazy-tong linkage, each link of .which is preferably of U-iron, andv I prefer to connect said sides, top and bottom, by means of suitable chains 26.

and bottom and the end frames 1'? and 2.l

vFeatures of construction shown in Vconnection with this form of thev invention,y butk not specifically described, may be considered as identical with the corresponding features described in connection with the construction Jshown in Figs. 1 to 7 .Y

To collapse the cage of. against the sideof thel warehouse, its hold- Suitable slotted vconnec-4 tions 27 are provided-between the sides,` ,top

Figs. 8 and-Q v n i Ms i 1' ing rodsI 16 are unlocked and the end frame 2 is moved inwardly and when complete collapse of the-,cage has been effected, the track 551L may be swung substantially fiat against the-building. lt will also be seen that this track mayhorizontally swing and that the cage may horizontally yield to some extent, it the car is moved while said cage is engaged therewith.

1n Figs. 10 and 11, rigid cages 3b are shown supported upon rollers 28 resting normally upon the warehouse floor as shown in Fig. 10.- The frame structure of these cages is preferably formed of angle iron and the sides, top and bottom are constructed oit wire or iron rods or strips running either at an incline as shown in Fig. 10 or vertically and horizontally as indicated in Fig. l1. These forms of construction, as well as those described below, may be equipped with the same car-engaging means and the same means for locking the cage projected, as described in the description of Figs. 1 to 7. To support them however, I prefer to provide a carriage 7 movable along a rigid track 8b and having a detachable connection with the cage.

Figs. 12 and 13 show constructions which are practically indentical with the structures shown in Figs. 10 and 11, except that the cages 3c illustrated in these figures, are intended to be 'formed principally of wood, using crossed slats secured to each other.

When a rigid cage such as seen in Figs. 10, 11, 12 and 13 is used, a sill plate may rest on the bottom thereof and slant down at its ends.

All forms of my invention are very desii-able and efficient for the purposes intended, regardless of the fact that they are of such construction that they may be easily manufactured and used. As above stated, the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 7 constitutes the preferred form ot my invention, but it will be understood that within the scope of the invention as claimed, I need not kbe restricted to this particular structure, as

numerous modifications may be effected.

l claim:

1. A freight protector comprising a cage open at two opposed sides for communication with a car door and the door of a warehouse or other car, said cage being closed on other sides to prevent theft of goods while moving the same from or into the car.

2. A structure as specified in claim 1; together with means releasable by authorized persons only for locking said cage in place.`

A freight protector for use when moving goods into or from a warehouse, comprising a cage carried by the warehouse and projectable to the car, said cage being' open on two sides for communication with the warehouse and car and being closed said cage being formed of linkage permitting it to collapse horizontally when not in use.

7. A structure as specified in claim 1; said cage having a chain mesh construction permitting it to collapse horizontally when not in use.

8. A structure as specified in claim 1; said cage consisting of rigid end frames and flexible sides, top and bottom connected thereto.

9. A structure as specitied in claim 1; said cage consisting of rigid end frames, sides connecting said frames and laterally flexible top and bottom also connecting said frames.

10. A structure as specified in claim 1; together with yielding pressure pads on said cage adapted to engage the car, and means for holding said cage projected against the car.

1l. A structure as specified in claim l; together with yielding pressure pads on said cage adapted to engage the car, and means for holding said cage projected against the car, each ot said pressure pads having horizontally spaced feet for contact with the car.

12. A structure as specified in claim 1; together with a rod connected with said cage, and means for securing said rod to hold the cage in projected position.

13. A structure as specified in claim 1; together with a rod connected with said cage and having teeth, and a relatively stationary guide with which said rod is engaged, said guide having a shoulder co-operable with said teeth to hold said rod and the cage projected for use.

14. A structure as specified in claim 1; together with a rod connected with said cage and having teeth, a relatively stationary guide with which said rod is engaged, said guide having aA shoulder co-operable with said teeth to hold said rod and the cage prov jected for use, and 'means for locking said rod in engagement with said shoulder.

15. A structure as specified in claim 1; together with an inwardly ext-ending pin on the cage, a rod having a socket in one end receiving said pin, and means for holding said rod to hold the cage projected.

16. A freight protector comprising an open-ended horizontally collapsible cage adapted to be secured at one end to a warehouse, a track adapteclto be pivotedvto the l 18. A lstructure` as specified in claimy 16,. v warehouse, carriages Supporting saioll cage said track having a normally inclined,innerv from said track, and means for swinging end for the purpoSeset-forth;

said track upwardly around its pvot. ln testimonyy whereof have hereunto 5 17, A structure as specied in claim 16, alxecl my signature;

said cage and arm being horizontally yeldf f f 1 v able forth@ purpose set forth. Y RICHARD A; AINSA.` Y 

